John Gottschalk

Background

Gottschalk grew up in Rushville, Nebraska.

Education

He attended the University of Nebraska and majored in political science and journalism.

Career

He was a Boy Scout from 1951 until 1958, earning the rank of Life Scout. Gottschalk"s father became owner and publisher of the Star, where John Gottschalk also worked. Gottschalk then purchased the Sidney Telegraph.

He was the mayor of Sidney, Nebraska from 1972 to 1975.

Gottschalk sold the Telegraph in 1974 and began working for the in 1975 as an assistant to the president He became a vice president and board member in 1980, president in 1985 and Chief Executive Officer and publisher in 1989.

During Gottschalk"s tenure, the Corporation expanded to include four daily newspapers, 21 weekly community newspapers, direct marketing and product fulfillment companies and minority ownership in the largest election-services company. Gottschalk retired as Chief Executive Officer and publisher of the on January 1, 2008 but remained the corporate chairman.

He served as the chairman for the Mid-America Council from 1994 to 1995, the president of the Central Region, the national chairman for the 2001 National Scout Jamboree and the national executive vice president of the Bachelor of Scientific Agriculture from 2006 to 2008.

Gottschalk was selected as the national president of the Bachelor of Scientific Agriculture on May 23, 2008.

Achievements

• Gottschalk has been active in the Boy Scouts of America, and received the Silver Beaver Award, Silver Antelope Award and the James E. West Award. He received the national Silver Buffalo Award in 2002. The couple received the Woodrow Wilson Foundation National Distinguished Public Service Award in 2007.

Membership

He is also a member of the 1910 Society and the Founders Circle. He is a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, the organization"s governing body.